RAPID CITY, S.D. --- After a disappointing pair of results last weekend, the South Dakota School of Mines volleyball team will look to bounce back for their final home matches this weekend at the King Center in Rapid City in a pair of Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchups.
 
A promising start during the MSU Denver match, where the Hardrockers took a 10-4 edge in the first set, shows the ability the Lady 'Rockers have to compete with the RMAC's best. SD Mines will look to sustain that type of fight moving into their matches against Chadron State College on Friday and Regis University on Saturday.
 
Chadron State is currently 8-15 (5-9 RMAC) and squeaked out a four-set win in their last meeting earlier this season. Leading the way on offense for the Eagles are Gaby Varela (213 kills) and Aijahnae Springs (206 kills).Defensively for the Eagles, Emily Bruce has 354 digs to lead her team.
 
The match is slated for a 6 p.m. start on Friday.
 
Second up on the weekend is RMAC leaders and No.1 in the Region --- the Regis University Rangers. The Rangers are 22-3 (14-1 RMAC) heading into the weekend. The Rangers have two top performers in Nikki Kennedy (259 kills) and Kelsey Green (281 kills).  The Hardrockers need to be aware of Kennedy at the net as she also leads the team in blocks (120) while standing 6-foot-4-inches, one of the tallest in the RMAC.
 
Saturday's match is also Senior Night where the Hardrockers will celebrate their two seniors who have given everything to the Hardrocker Family. Emily Newton who is in the Top 5 of all statistical categories for the Lady 'Rockers and Mikkella Reese, came back for her last year and contributed in a big way will be honored with family and friends. Reese leads the team in kills (207) and service aces (23).
 
Hard work doesn't describe what the Lady Rockers have done this season on and off the court. Not only are they putting in the daily work it takes to be committed to a college sport they are excelling in the classroom as well. Seven of the SD Mines volleyball team were named to the RMAC Honor Roll. Those Hardrockers that earned the honor include: Reese, Newton, Anna Breidt, Darla Drenckhahn, MaKinze Maiden, Caryn Hazard and Hannah Stevenson.
 
Come support the women's volleyball team this weekend as they close out their regular season home matches at Goodell Gymnasium.